Abu Dhabi: Filipino expats can fly with ease from the UAE to the Philippines — and at potentially cheaper rates — when Philippine Airlines (PAL) resumes flights to Abu Dhabi from October 1 and Dubai from November 1 through low-cost affiliate PAL Express, XPRESS can reveal.

The move follows San Miguel Corp’s takeover of the airline’s parent, PAL Holdings, and the “open skies” policy embraced by the current Manila government.

“We will start Manila-Dubai flights from November 1 in time for the high season,” said a senior PAL official who asked not to be named. PAL advertised the flight in Gulf News, but did not make a formal announcement. PAL, which ordered $7 billion (Dh25.71 billion) worth of Airbus aircraft last year, will begin Abu Dhabi-Manila flights from October 1.

Lack of capacity on the Dubai-Manila route hurt millions of overseas Filipino workers and stunted tourism, but the situation is set to change soon.

“The playing field is now level for all players involved, and we hope to see better service and more competitive rates,” said Frank Cimafranca, the Consul General in Dubai.

While the Philippines had always been well connected with the rest of Asia, it lacks sufficient links to Europe, a tourism official said.

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“This is a dream come true for those promoting the Philippines to the world as a tourist destination,” said Mohammad Ebrahim Al Masri, head of Dubai-based tourism consultancy Bizgate Services.

“The tourist traffic from Europe and the rest of the world passing through the UAE is huge. The Philippines will now be a good option for them. The more direct flights, the better for tourists and Pinoys (Filipinos) abroad,” said the official.

There are an estimated 600,000 Filipinos working in the UAE. The Filipino diaspora is estimated at 10 million, including over 1 million in Saudi Arabia.

PAL Express’s Dubai launch caps a flurry of announcements this year by UAE and Philippine flag-carriers following the opening up of Manila’s aviation sector, which will see a doubling of seats between the two countries.

Emirates will launch daily flights between Dubai and Clark International Airport, one hour north of Manila, from October 1.

This brings to 35 the number of weekly flights operated by Etihad and Emirates between the Philippines and the UAE.

Manila-based Cebu Pacific also plans to offer a daily Dubai-Manila flight from October 7.

Comments (4)

Are fares on the UAE-Philippine sector too high? Write to us at news@xpress4me.com or sms 5101. You can also leave a comment below

As a Filipino. this is a really big change to us. you dont know how this is a big help. please include Cebu also on the schedules. Mabuhay Philippines

struck, CEBU, Philippines

Added 10:45 July 11, 2013

Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Manila are reasonable but flights from these places to Davao International Airport must be increased as fare is being monopolised by Singapore Airlines and it is too high compared to Manila bound passengers. We hope there are also flights coming from Al Ain airports. Etihad and Emirates Airlines must have a direct flight to Davao City.

Bingungan Amer, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:29 July 11, 2013

Based on PAL's & Cebu Pacific's previous histories & track records, individuals wishes to choose these offers must ensure their LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES are in place and updated.

Anton, Dubai, Philippines

Added 22:22 July 10, 2013

this is really very good news to all of us Pinoys, we hope that PAL will really give cheaper rate compare to what we are paying now to other airlines. This is also a great help for all pinoy in dubai. Now we will not think twice to go back home due to very costly air ticket. Now the money we can save from the ticket, instead we can give it back home. Thanks PAL and thanks San Miguel Corp for giving us this new hope.